Hyundai i20 Receives 5-Star NCAP Rating for Safety

New Hyundai i20 Cars in India

Hyundai i20 from the premium small car segment was honored with 5-star NCAP rating for its high level of safety by the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). For Hyundai, it is matter of pride that i20 is the first car produced in India to receive the NCAP 5 star rating.

This is one of the biggest achievements for the i20 as usually small cars are not very much known for safety. The launch of i20 has created a benchmark in the small car segment with outstanding performance, high levels of comfort, and improved safety.

The ranking of the NCAP safety was based on 4 primary parameters. These parameters are adult occupancy, child protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist. It was surprising to know that our charming i20 bagged highest marks in all the segments. The premium car from Hyundai scored 88 per cent in the adult occupant protection tests. Some of the advanced safety features in the car are new whiplash assessment, seat belt with pre-tensioner, six airbags, and active head-restraints.

Equipped with a host of car safety features, i20 received a highest score of six out of the maximum seven points in the safety assist category attaining maximum score for its seatbelt reminder and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Other safety features that make i20 a completely safe car are anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control, and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

By winning the NCAP rating Hyundai i20 has proved to be the safest car not only on the Indian roads and but also globally. This marks another significant milestone in the successful journey of Hyundai.

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Electric Cars Wins the Race against Bio-Fuels

The growing environmental concern has engaged the worlds’ brightest minds to come up with a perfect answer to soaring fuel prices and automotive pollution. Car experts have tested the use bio-fuels, LPG, CNG, ethanol, water, air, and even electricity to run cars. Some of the cars around the world are successfully running on these alternative fuels. But at present the hot topic of debate in the western market is whether electric cars are more powerful or cars powered by bio-fuels.

While working on this line the researchers at the University of California along with fellow researchers have come up with a unique way to calculate it. They calculated the environmental impact of producing various alternative fuels used to drive cars. Under this system, the fuel consumption was not calculated in km/h, mph or km/100 litres but in miles per acre (miles/acre).

This new formula calculated the amount of miles a car travelled per acre of bio mass. The calculation took into account factors like energy produced by each technology and energy consumed for powering the vehicles.

According to the researchers, a life cycle analysis of the car powered by bio-fuel and bio electricity was done. And later it was revealed that bio-electricity offers more mileage and is more eco-friendly than bio-fuels. With the result of this research, electric cars win the race against bio-fuels.

posted by admin @ Friday, May 29th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post
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Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari Caught the Rallying Bug

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari has been trapped by the car rallying bug and is all set for another annual rally after an impressive debut performance in Arctic Lapland Rally.

Another car rally that Raikkonen is to participate is the Rally della Marca alongside co-driver Kaj Lindstrom. The young boy is very excited about the rally as this would be his first experience of rallying on the tarmac. He also feels thankful to Scuderia for giving him a golden opportunity to participate in this adventurous rally. Scuderia is a division of Ferrari automobile that mainly looks after racing sports.

The 2007 Formula One World Champion entered two rounds of the Finnish Rally Championship in the winter with the Tommi Makinen-prepared racing car, the Fiat Abarth Grande Punto S2000. Raikkonen will use the same car for the 26th Rally della Marca. He wonders what magic he will do behind the wheel of the Grande Punto but still has high hopes to win the competition.

posted by admin @ Friday, May 29th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post
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Luxury Tata Nano Climbs High

New Tata Nano Cars In India

Luxury Nano climbs high when it comes to people’s aspirations and demands. Out of the total 203,000 Nano bookings received about 80% was for the high end model. The base model of the Nano has received only 20% of the bookings. Even this demand is expected to dry up in future.

The high demand of the luxury Tata Nano is because of the extra features packed in the car. Features like air-conditioner, electronic trip meter, tinted glasses for windows, power front windows, and high end console with provision for mobile charger and cigarette lighter make every journey with the Nano comfortable and pleasurable.

With so many added features in the luxury variant buyers tend to lighten their pocket further to buy the top-end variant. Getting high levels of comfort and driving experience is worth the extra amount invested on the luxury Nano.

The top-end variant of the Tata Nano is priced somewhere close to Rs 2 Lakh. And this price tag for the luxury Nano avoids the price war with its closest rivals Maruti 800.

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U.S. Market Still in Crisis but India Recovers

The world’s largest automobile market of the United States has dramatically changed in the past year due to global economic recession. The automotive industry in Amercia has collapsed after the recession brought leading car players GM and Chrysler at the verge of bankruptcy. And, even other car manufacturers were forced to ask for cash support to keep their businesses live.

Many of the U.S. auto companies are finding it hard to recover the losses. Chrysler has already succumbed to its losses and now the Italian car manufacturer Fiat plans to take over the company. General Motors has already taken a huge fund from the government to support its business.

It is believed that at present Ford is the only manufacturer in America that has successfully retained its independent position in the auto market. The car manufacturer refuses to take financial aid from the government but then till how long will the company carry on with the losses? The situation in American car market has become so serious that in the future months even Ford may need to borrow money from the government to support its successful business.

Car manufacturers there are worried that the number of car buyers will decrease as days go by and the investments made on them will go down the drain. But in India, the situation is not the same.

The Indian car industry is climbing the positive track with more and more car manufacturers rolling out new cars to spark a new excitement in the market. All the new cars launched in the market are designed with best of cues and packed with host of technologies to entice waning car buyers. Many Indian car manufacturers like Maruti and Hyundai are witnessing positive curves on the sales graph.

However, the severe loss faced by GM in the U.S. has put its impact on GM cars in India as well. Despite of GM’s aggressive marketing strategy and promotional campaigns, the car manufacturer is not successful in regaining its lost position. Maybe the future has something good for GM. India has given a new hope to many car manufacturers and GM may also find its way out of recession.

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Swift and Dzire Drives Maruti

Swift and Dzire are the only two car models that are presently powering the growth of Maruti Suzuki. This has become a big concern for the company as it desires to witness uniform performance of all its car models.

New Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire Cars In India

The key factors that offer Maruti Suzuki a competitive advantage in the Indian car market are its wide range of cars and its strong national presence. And the company desires to take full benefits of its competitive advantages.

Maruti wants to focus on its entire portfolio of cars available in India and want to have a uniform growth. Alto is a small car from Maruti’s stable and is one of the highest selling cars in India. But when it comes to driving the company’s growth the Alto steps behind the Swift and Dzire.

New Maruti Suzuki Swift Cars In India

The company finds no reason as to why the growth is restructured to two car models. But still it continues to move ahead and is in continuous process of identifying new areas of growth. Maruti even identified lucrative opportunities in the rural market. Last year the company also offered good incentives and schemes to government employees. The company would continue to strengthen these areas in order to power its growth and strengthen its presence in the country.

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Beauty of Audi D7 Concept

It is interesting to know that some of the creative and talented students around the world are now designing and engineering some of the most beautiful cars. The beautiful concept of Audi D7 is the brainchild of one of the Iranian student, Kave Naser Bakht.

The beauty of his beautiful creation was showcased at the collective concept car design exhibition titled as ‘From Dream to Reality’. The main purpose of the event is to provide a platform for young Iranians graduated in Industrial and Transportation Design to showcase their abilities.

The creative mind of Kave produced the super sports concept car with a front-mounted engine. Some of the other features that caught the imagination of the visitors are charging cracks on the nose, light belts around the car integrating the headlamps and taillamps, and Audi’s signature grille.

If this striking concept Audi D7 undergoes production then it will definitely set new benchmarks in the industry.

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Facelifted Ford Endeavour for India

Ford is planning to introduce a facelifted Endeavour for the Indian car market. The car manufacturer desires to do some cosmetic changes in the car as it wasn’t touched since the time it is launched. It seems as if the car manufacturer is preparing its leading SUV to compete with the forthcoming Toyota Fortuner.

The highlights of the new Ford Endeavour are the all new chrome grille and a new bumper with chrome accent. Moreover, the redesigned headlights, stylish taillamps, plastic deflector on the hood, and a sparkling badge on the front fenders enhance the visual appeal of the SUV. In the interior the car will have plush interiors with an automatic transmission system.

There are speculations that the facelifted variant will replace the existing engine with the common rail diesel engine offering a generous increase in power output.

Endeavour is the perfect off roader that shines on the Indian roads. And the new looks with the automatic transmission will further increase the demand of the SUV in India.

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Await the Launch of a New MUV by Maruti

Maruti Suzuki has always been a leading player in the small car segment. But now as the MUV segment is experiencing an upward trend, it’s time to await the launch of a new MUV by Maruti Suzuki.

Christened as O2, the new MUV based on the Versa platform is expected to roll out on Indian roads by October this year. With the launch of this new MUV, Maruti will strengthen its product line in the van segment. Currently the car is at an advanced stage of design with no specified details of pricing or technical specifications.

The launch of the O2 is expected to bolster Maruti’s position in the Indian car industry. And further trigger a tough competition in the MUV segment dominated by cars like Toyota Innova and Chevrolet Tavera.

Even though Maruti Suzuki Versa is not a popular hit in the market the car manufacturer has planned a new car based on the Versa platform. At a time when no other specifications of the new MUV are revealed we can just hope that the O2 does not have to face the same destiny as the Versa.

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India’s Lone Stutz Vintage Car Now Resides in Delhi

The lone Stutz vintage car is one of the earliest racing cars from the house of U.S.-based Stutz car manufacturer. The first owner of this antique beauty on wheels was the former ruler of Baria in Gujarat. He purchased the car in 1929 and further sold it to his friend in Godhra who was also a car enthusiast and collector. The collector from Godhra wrote in his diary that after his death his family should approach Manvendra Singh from the erstwhile noble family of Barwani, Madhya Pradesh. After the death of the collector his son sought out Manvendra Singh who helped a Delhi-based Vintage car enthusiast Diljeet Titus getting the car possession.

The four passenger racing car with a right had drive is powered by a 115 bhp engine that can rev up to 144 km/h. The car is believed to be a technological marvel designed with toned cigarette yellow and black exterior, advanced engineering, and low centre of gravity.

With Titus taking the possession of India’s lone Stutz vintage car, Delhi becomes a new home for this vintage beauty. It is currently under renovation to catch the imagination of the viewers during the vintage auto exhibition to be held in September this year.

posted by admin @ Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 Comments Off links to this post
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